Random thoughts running frenetically through a labyrinth of synaptic strands of goo

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http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119633

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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Israel and the PA may talk nicely to each other

Moscow -- Israel and Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow to discuss what Russia hopes will relaunch the Middle East peace process, it was announced on Thursday by Russia's Foreign Ministry. Thus, it appears that Russia, not the Obama administration, is attempting to become a peace broker after this week's setback. On Tuesday, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said a scheduled meeting in Moscow was delayed at Israel's request.The truth is, an actual diplomatic breakthrough between the two countries is as likely as the return of Elvis. Israel has done political cartwheels and the PA has flipped them off every time."Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues," reports Fox News, adding that their differences is what prevents them from having a meaningful talk since Bibi took office in 2009.One of the big issues for Abbas is that he believes Israel does not have the right to exist and should be wiped off the face of the earth. In fact, he would like to see the demise of all Jews throughout the world, (a view also held by many liberal college professors).Bibi Netanyahu disagrees with Abbas.The last peace talks over 2 years ago were negotiated by the United States, but broke down when Abbas demanded that Israel halt settlement construction on occupied lands and leave them in their Seventh Century condition. He also demanded the release of Hamassholes that were promised during the last round of sessions.Netanyahu rejected the terms and said the meeting should be held without conditions.Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Abbas and Netanyahu accepted an invitation to meet in the Russian capital, but no date has been given yet, nor if there was any agenda settlements."The most important thing is to pick the right timing," Ms. Zakharova said. "Intensive contacts on this are ongoing."If Russia can pull this off, it will make Secretary of State John Kerry, President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton look like losers and perhaps put an end to future Obama-Putin staring contests. It would also reflect the growing influence of Russia in the Middle East and the U.S.'s anemic influence."If the Palestinian Authority can say with one voice that they are willing to meet without preconditions, then Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Abbas," David Keyes, Mr. Netanyahu's spokesman said.But even if a meeting does take place, the chances for actual progress between the two countries would be slimmer than a fashion model after a two-month bulimia binge.The PA would like to have won the 1967 Mideast War and established an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem--but they lost, and to the victors goes the spoils of war, as they say. And if Israel gave the PA what they want, that would leave Israel without the chance to defend itself against the inevitable Islamic conquest attempts that would follow, so Netanyahu refused the demand.Both Abbas and Bibi have accused each other of refusing to partner for a deal. Only one of them is using taqiyya.